When the Saintess Arrives, No King Exist

There was a thunderous crash, and bricks fell like dandruff from the wall.

Horn’s Count Castle, this castle surrounded by water on three sides, once withstood an army ten times larger without falling.

Its red roofs and white walls have become famous landmarks nearby.

But at this moment, the once picturesque garden has become a wreck, petals and expensive trees scattered everywhere.

The previously flat green lawn is now pitted with craters and crisscrossed with trenches.

With the successive firing of twelve-pound, twenty-four-pound, and forty-eight-pound cannons, the fragile walls are gradually collapsing.

The outer layer of white bricks is crumbling, revealing the inner packed earth wall just over a meter wide.

In fact, several breaches have already been made in the castle walls, only blocked by the defenders with wooden barricades.

As for the tall tower, it was bombed along with the white flag days ago.

Her Highness Jeanne’s instructions were clear: your surrender does not mean I have to accept it!

Who told you to rebel in the first place? Why didn’t you think of this issue then?

Looking at the hopeless castle, many nobles attending the Believers’ Assembly turned pale.

They must know that a castle like Horn’s Count Castle was already considered a masterpiece of count-level castles.

The tall city walls comparable to the capital city, along with its earth mound, reach twenty meters high, more than many noble castles.

If they were to attack, ten or twenty times the force might mean a prolonged siege.

But now?

In a week, even less than a week, because the castle was already broken; it was Jeanne’s deliberate delay to attack.

From their understanding, unless it is a specialized fortress, it is hard to resist the Holy Alliance’s artillery for two to three weeks.

It seems the castle and the knights will flow west like spring water.

The nobles’ eyes focused on Jeanne, wearing a tailored white military uniform with her hands behind her back.

Her black hair was tied into a ponytail hanging behind, and her white-gloved hand picked up a coffee cup from the porcelain saucer, sipping silently.

Her Highness the Saintess didn’t speak, but everyone understood the meaning behind her actions.

Using a saying from the Saint’s Grandson’s Proverbs: "Kill a chicken to scare the monkeys," urging them to behave.

"Gentlemen," Jeska beside Jeanne said, pursing his lips with a smile that wasn’t a smile, gazing around at the nobles, "What do you think of our Holy Alliance’s siege technology?"

"The Saintess is invincible, I yield."

"The Holy Alliance’s artillery is simply a miracle bestowed by the Holy Father!"

"I wasn’t one to believe in the Holy Sect before, but after seeing the siege technology of the Holy Alliance, I decide to convert to the Holy Sect tonight."

Counts and barons flattered fervently, even swearing allegiance and promising no betrayal.

Jeanne glanced at these nobles and continued sipping her coffee without speaking.

Jeanne was dissatisfied about Horn sparing these nobles.

Why couldn’t they be eliminated completely like in Thousand River Valley?

Back then, they were weak and had to coexist with the nobles; now they’re strong, but still need to coexist with nobles.

Isn’t this power wasted?

Could it be the pillow talk from Jia Li? Each time she leaves the central nerve too far, Jia Li causes some disturbances!

Though it’s a decision made by the Cardinal Group, it doesn’t change Jeanne’s view.

Jeanne’s aversion to nobility is not just from a peasant perspective, but also disdain for the nobles’ flexible morals.

Has she married yet? Why let those handsome young pale-faced nobles try their chances?

Even dared to secretly send young and beautiful family maids and noblewomen, called the all-American transport ship, to the ry Court Barracks, intending to offer them to the Saint’s Grandson!

Did they eat bear’s heart and leopard’s guts?

Jeanne was super furious, quickly boarding the all-American transport ship, and forcibly matched these noblewomen and maids with officers.

"I will be stationed at the New Gem Federation, managing military affairs during this period." Jeanne handed the tea tray and coffee cup to an adjutant nearby and turned, "I hope you can cooperate with our work."

"Of course, of course."

"Then there’s only one answer, we pledge allegiance to you!"

"Wrong." Jeanne raised her eyebrows, "Whom you swear allegiance to is not me, not the Shepherd Leader, nor the Saint’s Grandson, but the Holy Alliance. Do you understand?"

"Look at me, I meant to say that."

"Yes, to express apologies, does Her Highness Jeanne and Jeska, along with the officers, wish to visit my estate? I have prepared a dinner..."

Jeanne’s lips turned down, her youthful lips twitching with a sarcastic smile.

Many nobles actively participate in the newly formed New Gem Federation’s affairs; Jeanne understands their intentions.

Today’s imperial system dictates that the Holy Sect often relies on cities for growth.

The vast Public Register Farmers in rural areas indeed wish for change, but they are mostly politically apathetic.

In other words, as landowners, they tend to be conservative, even if the land is small.

In contrast, the labor tenant groups and middle-class urban citizens have expectations and abilities for change in different directions.

This leads to when the Holy Alliance occupies an area, cities are for the Plain Faction while villages are for the nobles.

Even now, the Holy Alliance’s Advisory Council harbors conflicts between the Mountain and Plain factions.

The power of nobility and traditional concepts persist in the eyes of middle-aged, and even many youth.

They might even see monks of the Holy Sect as new nobles.

When the Holy Alliance occupies an area, defeating the main noble coalition, there are still sporadic noble uprisings.

However, due to their inefficient feudal system, once scattered, they can hardly gather.

Every time the Master Knight raises the rebel flag, the Holy Alliance’s suppression force arrives at the doorstep.

After several times, nobles realize the Holy Alliance is unstoppable, then choose non-violent cooperation to resist.

Simply put, if you can’t beat them, join them.

Not flattering the nobles, but due to differences in educational resources and vision, nobles are indeed better than common citizens in administrative affairs.

Their involvement speeds the new federation to quickly run on track.

This is still what the Holy Alliance has experienced, otherwise Jeanne wouldn’t be so insightful.

First round, defeat the nobles, let citizen power enter the core of governance, develop farmers’ strength.

Second round, completely eradicate feudal nobles or oligarchic foundations while allowing them to retain positions in the new system, let farmers enter governance core.

Third round, great cleansing, eradicate remnants of the old system ensuring internal purity.

Currently, the New Gem Federation and the Dawn Federation are in the first round, and they need time.

Time, oh time...

Jeanne didn’t respond to the nobles’ invitation but casually said: "The Federation Shepherd Leader has already arrived, there will be a reception tomorrow, the Shepherd Leader will answer the representatives’ questions, you’d better go back early and prepare."

Without waiting for the counts and barons to ask again, Jeanne strode to board the returning carriage.

When she arrived at the military headquarters building, Shepherd Leader Gilatel and Federal Senior Pastor Gajevili were already waiting at the door.

"I happen to have some matters to discuss with you." Dropping a sentence, Jeanne directly walked into the room.

Gilatel and Gajevili had to quicken their steps, proceeding to a second-floor tea room.

Compared to the nobles, Jeanne looked much better now, it is understandable as they are her own people: "Tomorrow is the introduction to the Believers’ Assembly, it requires you to ask and answer citizen questions, are you prepared?"

"I’ve prepared, but dare not say ready, only fully prepared." Gilatel and Gajevili both barely sit on half their chairs.

The person before them is the Chief Adjudicator, openly equal to an armed inspector in the Holy Alliance military police, they dare not slack.

"Timid without achievement, lacking confidence in your work!" Jeanne frowned, "Ready means ready, not ready means not ready, playing word games with me!"

"Yes, your instructions are." The two hurriedly expressed they had learned.

Jeanne crossed one leg over the other: "Then let me ask you, next is organizing the New Gem Federation, do you have any thoughts?"

"This newly founded New Gem Federation is complex, not knowing where to start, what advice do you have?"

"I’m a soldier, don’t understand these." Jeanne rocking the crossed leg, smiled affably at the two.

The amiable smile of Jeanne made Gilatel and Gajevili’s backs wet with sweat.

Clearly understandable, instead of testing them.

Time ticked by, Jeanne’s smile grew while the two felt suffocated.

After a while, they gathered courage and spoke simultaneously.

"Perpetuity rights."

"Work-for-welfare."

The room fell silent again, after three to five seconds, yet it felt a lifetime to the duo.

Only then did Jeanne stand up: "Each of you gave half the answer, I’ll count you as passing."